Kyle Blanks | First Baseman

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Giants released 1B/OF Kyle Blanks.

Blanks was hitting just .232/.315/.390 at Triple-A Sacramento and the Giants have decided to move on. Now 30, Blanks has had trouble staying healthy and/or productive in his chances at the big league level. Fri, May 26, 2017 01:45:00 PM

Blanks is a big man with an intriguing power swing, but he simply hasn't been able to remain healthy. This spring has been no different in that department. He'll try to climb his way up to San Francisco with a healthy couple of months at the Triple-A level. Sun, Mar 20, 2016 08:18:00 PM

Kyle Blanks was scratched from Thursday's lineup with a right Achilles soreness.

He's has been plagued by Achilles issues the last few years, so this is unfortunately not a surprise. Blanks has four hits -- including two homers -- in 10 at-bats this spring, but staying healthy is always going to be his, well, Achilles heel. Thu, Mar 17, 2016 10:16:00 PM

Depth Charts

Joe Panik took on-field batting practice Tuesday for the first time since landing on the disabled list April 28 with a torn UCL in his left thumb.

Panik told reporters afterward that he had no limitations with his swing and was able to grip the bat strongly and freely while poking balls to all parts of the field. The second baseman could be about a week away from beginning a minor league rehab assignment.

Giants placed INF/OF Alen Hanson on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to May 13, with a left hamstring strain.

Hanson evidently must have tweaked the hamstring Saturday, as he didn't play Sunday. It's unfortunate, as the 25-year-old was suddenly fantasy relevant with a .298/.346/.638 batting line, four homers and three steals while filling in at second base for Joe Panik (thumb). Those duties should now fall primarily to Kelby Tomlinson.

Hunter Pence (thumb) hit a grand slam in a rehab game Tuesday with Triple-A Sacramento.

He also had an RBI single, driving in five total runs on the night. Pence has made some mechanical adjustments to his swing while on the disabled list with a right thumb sprain and he is suddenly batting .319 over 76 total plate appearances at the Triple-A level. The 35-year-old outfielder should be activated by the Giants within the next several days.

And possibly as early as Friday. Williamson is 5-for-15 (.333) with two home runs and six RBI through four rehab games with Triple-A Sacramento and should resume seeing regular starts in the San Francisco outfield. He's been on the concussion disabled list since April 28.

Madison Bumgarner (finger) threw a successful simulated game on Tuesday.

As long as he responds well to the workout, the ace left-hander should be cleared to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Sacramento. He's expected to make around three rehab starts before joining the Giants' rotation around the middle of June. Bumgarner has been out all year with a fractured left pinkie.

Cueto was diagnosed earlier this week with a right elbow sprain and this move comes as confirmation that he will be sidelined until at least early July. The 32-year-old right-hander had a stellar 3-0 record, 0.84 WHIP, and 0.69 WHIP through his first five starts this season with the Giants.

Mark Melancon (forearm) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento on Monday.

He's going to need around two weeks before he's ready to rejoin the Giants' bullpen. With as well as Hunter Strickland has pitched in the closer's role, it would be surprising if Melancon works in the ninth inning immediately upon his return.

Julian Fernandez will undergo Tommy John surgery for his UCL injury on Thursday after receiving a second opinion from doctors.

Fernandez was diagnosed with a UCL strain rather than a tear, so it wasn't a lock that he'd undergo the season-ending surgery. He will now. The second pick of last year's Rule 5 draft, Fernandez will miss the entire 2018 season, and battle for a spot in the San Francisco bullpen in 2019.